Season 6, Podcast 57, Isaiah 9:8-21, “Come Unto Christ.”

Season 6, Podcast 57, Isaiah 9:8-21, “Come Unto Christ.”The Prophets, such as Isaiah and John, who appear to be the most negative are, upon close reading, the most positive. They are not prophets of doom. They are prophets of hope. The only reason they forecast destruction is to warn the people that they should repent. If they repent, they may avoid being brought down into captivity. As we read the final verses of Isaiah 9, notice the recurring phrase, “but his hand is stretched out still.” That has a double meaning. The first and obvious meaning is that the destruction will continue if they remain in their wickedness. The second meaning, however, which is not so obvious, is that “his hand is stretched out still” to save them. The clarion call is to come unto Christ and avoid the captivity of Satan. That is why, in the midst of all this war, Isaiah prophecies,Isaiah 9:66 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.In other words, turn to Christ and rather than being led captive into Babylon, you will be under the protective government of Christ. Rather than be ravaged by war, you will be ruled by the Prince of Peace.The House of Judah still has a choice between being led into captivity by Babylon or being led into peace and prosperity by Christ. That is the message by Isaiah all the way through his amazing book just as it is the message of John the Revelator all the way through his amazing book.Isaiah 9:88 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is not just addressing the House of Judah. He is addressing all the tribes of Jacob, called Israel. Both the northern tribes and the southern tribes are on the brink of destruction. At no time in their history do they have a greater decision to make because if they make the wrong one, all twelve tribes will be scattered throughout the earth, most entirely losing their identity. That makes Isaiah one of the most pivotal prophets in Israelite history. That makes the phrase, “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still” be of earth shaking importance. It is stretched out till the end of time whether for destruction or for restoration. The choice is up to Israel and by analogy the choice is up to all Christians and indeed to all the world. The call, “Come unto Christ” is not just for the Jews, not just for the Lost Tribes of Isreal, but it is for the world. We are all children of God and God is no respecter of persons. Those who heed the call will be saved. Those who don’t heed the call won’t be saved. A true prophet speaks to all the world. What was the great promise to Abraham?Genesis 22:17-1817 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. The seed of Abrahan then refers to those who follow Christ. Christ said through his prophet John the Baptist.Matthew 3:1-91 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa,2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.